AN ANNUAL JURIED FINE ART EXHIBITION AND SALE OFTRADITIONAL AND REPRESENTATIONAL INDIANA ARTAs always I an honored and humbled to be included in a show of such amazing talent. Also I want to thank Jan Mills for purchasing “Walking with the Light.” Giclée prints are available. Please visit my online store for more information. At the River’s Bend is still available for purchase. Contact the Brown County Art Galleryfor more information.

This years guest judge was Stapleton Kearns. Stapleton Stapleton Kearns (American, b. 1952) studied in the atelier of R. H. Ives Gammell (American 1893–1981). Gammell was a student of major American impressionist William Paxton, and Ives passed on his art training to nearly 40 students over a period of almost 50 years. Kearns was a beneficiary of Gammell’s private instruction conducted at the historic Fenway studios in Boston, Massachusetts. In 1983 Kearns moved to Rockport, Massachusetts, and had the opportunity to know and learn from the older generation of artists who had made that area famous as an art colony. Kearns was elected president of the Rockport Art Association and held that position for five years.​For nearly ten years Kearns has lived in New Hampshire, and, writes a blog about painting that receives thousands of visitors each month. He also teaches workshops across the country.

To hear a great interview by Leslie Saeta and Margret Sheldon with this amazing artist, go to the podcast, Artists Helping Artists​CLICK HERE.

In the late 1970s, a group of local artists organized Indiana Heritage Arts to support the current members of the Brown County art community. The principal activity of this non-profit group was an annual, juried art competition to take place each June.

Today, IHA makes its home at the historic Brown County Art Gallery in Nashville. What started as a local competition has grown statewide, open to any artist with ties to Indiana. The annual June exhibition and sale is one of the largest art competitions in the midwest, handing out as much as $80,000 in prize money and purchase awards to the winners.​IHA continues to honor the legacy of the early artists by supporting today’s Hoosier Masters. IHA leases a room in the Brown County Art Gallery to provide year round exhibition space to prize-winning artists, where they can offer paintings for sale. IHA sponsors artist workshops by bringing in the country’s top instructors, providing workshop space and administrative services. IHA also supports an annual student art competition held at the Gallery by providing prize money to the area's top art teachers.

IHA has a statewide membership of artists and patrons and depends on generous donors including corporate sponsors, local merchants, along with loyal collectors, to continue the mission of supporting Indiana’s top artists. ​Indiana Heritage Arts.com